5 Things About Worship

“But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,
for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (John 4:23)

During my seminary days, I had a course on “worship” that started with an assignment that I thought would be rather easy. Wrong! “Write a definition of WORSHIP.”

There was much discussion about WORSHIP in that course that has influenced my life for the past fifty years in ministry. But here are 5 things that we know about WORSHIP:

1. WORSHIP is why we were created.
   According to Psalm 24:1, God is the Creator and Owner of all things…including us!
2. WORSHIP is not optional.
   Obedience is central to worship. The act of worship is commanded in Luke 10:27 as it starts with loving God.
3. WORSHIP is not complete without a response.
   The sixth chapter of Isaiah has long been a great picture of the worship process that has the response of “Here I am. Send me.”
4. WORSHIP is both Private and Public.
   Anything we do that pleases God is an act of worship. It’s daily giving ourselves back to God leading to a lifestyle of worship. And Colossians gives us terrific guidelines for corporate worship.
5. WORSHIP is forever!
   Revelation 4 shows us a picture of heavenly worship that is going on right now and will continue throughout eternity.

What is not mentioned in His Word is what most of today’s conversations focus on concerning worship in our churches: style and types of music. As Rick Muchow says, “God loves us more than He loves our music. The worship of God is not intended for the worshipper’s enjoyment.”

If we aren’t careful, we will spend more time and energy researching WORSHIP instead of practicing it. He is receptive right now. Why not give Him your attention?